Nisha Ghosal
The Supreme Court divisional bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and BR Gavai rejected to lift the stay on the Delhi Government plan to book 80% of ICU beds in private hospitals for COVID-19 patients.
The bench also directed the state government to approach the High Court as the case is pending there.
Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain asserted that day by day, the pandemic situation is worsening. To which, the top court decided to hear the case.
ASG Jain said, “Let this matter be listed before the concerned bench in Delhi High Court day after tomorrow. It shall be open for parties to submit such pleading before LPA court as may be advised.”
The Delhi Government, in its appeal, stated that the High Court failed to recognise that out of 1107 hospitals in the state, only 33 private hospitals and nursing homes allotted ICU beds for COVID-19 patients.
It further stated none of the private hospitals had any qualms about the stay order.
Also, it said that the claim made by the petitioners before the High Court – Association of Healthcare Providers about having an impact on non-COVID patients was fabricated.
It was done so to obscure the commercial interests of the private hospitals.
It was also a matter that courts cannot interfere in the state policies made in the public interest.
The Supreme Court directed the matter to be listed the day after tomorrow.